Martin: Yankees have discussed bringing back Eric Chavez

Via Dan Martin: The Yankees have “at least discussed the possibility” of signing free agent Eric Chavez this offseason. He would provide part-time help at both corner infield positions and DH, plus his lefty bat would be a nice weapon off the bench as well. Chavez has acknowledged he can no longer play everyday and has successfully made the transition to role player. It’s easier said than done.

Chavez, 35, hit .281/.332/.478 (114 wRC+) with nine homers in 254 plate appearances for the Diamondbacks last season, a bit short of his production with New York in 2012 (126 wRC+ and 16 homers in 313 plate appearances). He made two trips to the DL (oblique and knee) and remains a major injury risk, as you know. Chavez took $3M to move closer to home last year and I’m guessing he’ll command a similar salary this winter. The Yankees know him well and he’s obviously a good fit for the current roster. Risky though given his never-ending injury problems.

I would guess it’s easier done than said. Age and declining ability makes you unable to play every day. Admitting it is the tough part, I would assume.

Havok9120

Not everyone manages to remain effective in a part time role. They lose their rhythm and it affects their play.

I’m One

If he’d be interested in returning, I’d like to see the Yankees take the risk if $3MM would do it for him. Add in Reynolds and you should have a productive, inexpensive replacement tandem for A-Rod.

Preston

They’d be better than Youk for half the price.

Mikhel

It would be a very good 3B/DH tandem, plus they can fake 1B very well for whenever Teix needs to rest.

Rob g

Makes no sense

David N

I’ve had it with signing older guys with potential but also injury histories and hoping that they can stay healthy. It rarely works out, and the team needs to adopt another strategy.

I’m One

Worked out reasonably well (based on cost and production) with him for 2 seasons and his production last season would have been far beyond what the Yankees got out of 3B last season as well. I understand he’s an injury risk, but there aren’t too many other options out there. Want to take a chance on David Adams all year? Take a chance A-Rod won’t be suspended all season? Reynolds or try to keep Michael Young from retiring? Chavez sounds like a reasonable option based on the other scenarios.

I’m One

I do, however, have my doubts that he’d return, but I’d like to see the Yankees at least discuss it with him/his agent to guage his interest.

David N

Reynolds sounds like a better option if you ask me.

And why not take a chance on some younger players this year? Why not see what Adams can do in his second year playing on a part-time basis? You know he’s going to end up doing it anyway when Chavez goes down (which will happen), so why not just put him there to begin with and save the money so that you can spend it on signing higher-level free agents?

Havok9120

The idea, I’m pretty certain, would be to pair Chavez and Adams so as not to overexpose Chavez and not let Adams break in at a more comfortable pace.

Reynolds, while I like him and wouldn’t mind having him back, may command more money, possibly additional years, and has shown some pretty enormous holes in his swing. Not to mention the whole “massive defensive liability” thing.

Mikhel

They also have O’Brien playing at 3B in the Arizona Fall League, the guy has power but as a C his throws let a lot to be desired (he is slow when he tries to release the ball in stealing attempts, as slow as Posada or even more if that’s possible).

john

yes, they’re building a team that will empty the stadium (except of course for the luxury boxes). How can a trufan root for a team of has-beens? Where’s the Hope?

HateMclouth (formerly I’mVernon)

Surprised they’re considering Chavez given what happened to Hafner and Youk this year.

I’m One

He’d cost a lot less than Youk and doesn’t quite have the injury history of Hafner, having averaged nearly 250 ABs the last 3 seasons. He seems to know his body and while you can expect a couple of minor injuries during the season, working with a platoon partner could work well for the him and the Yankees. Can you tell I’m a fan of this move? :-)

HateMclouth (formerly I’mVernon)

This past season left a bad taste in my mouth regarding injuries. If we sign Chavez I fully expect him to go down in May leaving Reynolds at the hot corner for the majority of the season. I know he’s got some pop but I can’t imagine that being pretty. Then again, David Adams doesn’t inspire any confidence either. And I doubt we have the pieces to trade for Headley or Sandoval. Just a dismal situation no matter how you look at it, ugh. Hurry on up, Jagielo.

I’m One

“Hurry on up, Jagielo.”

This.

I’m worried about the possible injuries and decline, but I just don’t see too many better options at the current time. Guess that’s part of the reason I’m not a MLB GM.

Vern Sneaker

Sure, buy another broken dish. Great.

Mouse

He’s also 2 years older, which means there’s an even greater chance of decline and breakdown. I’ll take a pass on him unless he’s willing to be just an off the bench piece.

Dicka24

Not that I’d like it, but would it be the worst thing in the world if the Yankees ended up with a Youk/Chavez platoon at 3rd base next year? Neither player can stay healthy, but both should come relatively cheap. Worst case scenario of course, should Arod end up suspended, and no real viable alternative present itself. Youk bats RH, Chavez LH, so maybe the two could survive the season in a platoon situation. When I look at the 3B options without Arod, there really isn’t much out there to be had.

Robinson Tilapia

You need a more durable starter than Youk at third if you want to count on Chavez on your bench. 250 ABs last year? That’s about the max of what he should be getting on your team before his head falls off.

Not Eric Chavez! You kidding me!! OLD! OLD! OLD! These Yankees are some OLD farts..

Robinson Tilapia

I want the starting nine to get younger. I don’t care if you’ve got grizzled vets coming off the bench and getting 250-300 ABs as backups.

Rolling Doughnut

Seems like a been there done that move. Chavez is old, declining, and hasn’t played in more than 115 games since 2007. I don’t think it’s wise to bet on him repeating his 2012 numbers.

qwerty

I guess bringing back Youkilis is no longer an option.

qwerty

Chavez is a good option. I would sign Peralta to play SS, Infante to play second, and move Jeter to DH/3B and have Chavez share duties there as well.

Mikey Scheister

Not a terrible idea, hopefully the undescended testicles of the Yankees brass drop to “sell” Jeter on a move off SS.

LarryM Fl

There are so many holes on this team that swiss cheese appears as a solid mass. Chavez can provide some solid hitting and decent defense if he can get to the ball. I prefer going younger when the funds have been spent on free agency signings.

You can mention many players who would fit into the Yankee team. Its about the timing and front office priority. Hopefully, the Yankees are being aggressive and reaching out to the Peralta’s and getting a sense of their demands. This team can come back faster than expected with a good off season. 90 million without Arod suspension money is plenty good to get us on the right track.

Robinson Tilapia

Good bench piece, and backup at the corners, if your starter at the position is solid. He’s not the answer as a potential Alex replacement in the least, though. Love me some Chavez, but not as much as Erica does.

Lukaszek

I wouldn’t mind Chavez again, especially for 3 million. He seems like a classic Yankee player from the late 90’s; gritty, clutch, and overrated in New York but underrated everywhere else.

Mike

If they could pull a Youk/ Reynolds/ Chavez for a 8mm total… Not so bad

http://www.draftstreet.com/register.aspx?r=Jedile Jedile

Maybe they can combine for 25 Homeruns .260 avg and 200k’s with 80 RBIs!

Yeah I could be down for that. While giving us passable defense.

Mikhel

I wonder if P. O’Brien is in the Yanks plans, he looked fine playing thirdbase the other day in the Arizona Fall League, as a catcher he is slow trying to release the ball with runners trying to steal (as slow as Mike Stanley, or as slow as Posada).

O’Brien has power, but is prone to swing at low curves (looks bad but he doesn’t look as bad as Cubans playing elsewhere besides Cuba, jumping quickly thinking everything will be a 95 mph fastball, Soler is one of those players like Despaigne, Puig and Céspedes).